Franklin County High School knew just when to swing Friday night as it scored four runs in the first and third innings, leading to a 15-3 victory over Natchez in six innings.

Eight Lady Dawgs registered at least one hit in the win.

“We spend a lot of time on hitting,” Franklin County coach Jerry Baldwin said. “The last couple games we haven’t hit very well, but they kind of relaxed tonight.”

After Chasney Green stole home for a run to start the game, FCHS continued with an RBI single from Marie Clanton to score Antdrea Stewart. Kaytlyn Smith followed with a two-RBI double to score Clanton and Sydney Scott to end the inning.

Clanton then began the third with a solo home run, and a handful of ground-hit singles with some strong base running gave the Lady Dawgs a 9-0 lead.

“They are aggressive,” Baldwin said. “It’s just kind of our style. We like to run, and they did really good tonight. I was proud of them.”

Emilee Wallace kept the Lady Bulldogs scoreless after striking out five batters in the first two innings, but Natchez finally found home in the third after Deja Hudson hit a single, scoring Keria Logan.

Hudson also scored a run in the loss.

“The best (hitting) started too late in the game,” NHS coach Bonita Hamilton said. “We practice that a lot, but we just couldn’t connect and get it going. We are going to come back and work on our offense. We have got to hit the ball.”

Wallace ended with nine strikeouts, pitching 3.1 innings and gave up just one earned run in the win.

“She’s my ace,” Baldwin said. “We live and die by Emilee.”

Kateiria Noble also hit an RBI double for the Lady Bulldogs, and Aysia Pollard added the final hit.

Green led Franklin County on offense, going 2-3 with three RBIs and three runs scored.

FCHS will be back in action at 6 p.m. March 21 at home against Tylertown. Natchez (0-2) will stay home to take on Vicksburg at 6 p.m. on March 21.